04x05 - Lose to Win

[bunniefuu]

Look, the only reason you're still here is

because you said you was a doula.

A what?

Where did you get your certification from anyway?

-Um... -Get her out of my house

before I pull her lungs out her chest.

[Fatima]Previously onZatima.

-That's not my baby. -Yes, it is.

I need to get it tested.

[Leslie]Okay, I can get the baby tested.

[Malachi]In the womb. I'll pay for it.

[Leslie]I know you in love with Fatima,

but she doesn't love you. I love you!

What does that say?

It says that they have the right to temporarily take him.

f*ck!

That's it... That's it...

♪ Pow, pow, pow Pow, pow, pow, whoa ♪

That's goo...d!

[whispers to self]

Waffles, pancakes,

bacon, eggs, potatoes, fruit.

This ain't enough fruit.

This gonna have to do.

Ba-ba-ba!

You need the garnish. You need the garnish.

One more time. Garnish it!

On the presentation, we got food: pancakes,

waffles, eggs, potatoes.

Ain't nobody saying nothin' to me like this.

Who doin' this like this?

Got the banana too. Let me get the banana.

I got the banana. [chuckles]

f*ck that banana.

Fatima!

Fatima?

Fatima?

-Fatima! -What?

-What? -Hey, you!

-You, you! -sh*t!

You almost made me drop the food.

Zac, you're like, "Fatima, Fatima, Fatima!"

Baby, listen. You see I'm asleep?

-Okay. -What you want this early?

I don't want anything, just brought you breakfast.

Huh? Zac, for who?

My Pound Life?

You said you like options,

so I just brought you everything that you like.

Not all at once, Zac.

Man, just relax and eat.

I'm eatin' with you, too.

Be careful before you spill the food.

[plate clatters]

-sh*t, Zac! -I'm sorry.

My fault, my fault, my fault.

Zac, it is too early for all this sh*t.

We gotta get to the courthouse.

No, no, no, no.

I need you nourished to help me fight this battle.

You know what?

And I'm glad we're going to the courthouse.

I want a divorce. sh*t.

Joke's on you. We ain't even married yet.

Yeah, we ain't gonna be married if you keep

waking me up this early, sh*t!

You don't want none of this that didn't waste?

Man, f*ck that food. I didn't ask for all that.

[Zac] Why are you screaming?

Because you got food everywhere. You need to clean that sh*t up.

Hey, hey! Stop cussin', okay?

The negative energy is not good for the baby.

Zac, shut up.

I'ma let that rot 'cause you hormonal.

-Oh, you gonna let it rot? -[Zac] Yeah.

Zac, if you don't stop talkin'...

What? If I don't stop talkin', what?

You gonna fight me? What's up?

You know what? Yes, yes, I am.

And I'm gonna kick your a*s.

Damn, you hurt my feelings.

Leave me alone! Clean that sh*t up!

Pregnant people be angry.

She don't even know she missin'. This sh*t slaps.

[upbeat music]

♪ Love ain't perfect, but it's still workin' ♪

♪ Ain't gotta be what we see on TV ♪

♪ But it's damn sure worth it, uh-huh ♪

♪ Love ain't perfect, but we still workin' ♪

♪ Don't gotta be what we see on IG ♪

♪ 'Cause we still worth it, uh-huh ♪

♪ Yeah, yeah Yeah, yeah ♪

♪ Do, do, do, do, do, do, do, do ♪

♪ We still workin' ♪

[music]

-I'm a little nervous. -Me too.

This should be easy.

You are the biological father,

so we shouldn't have any issue with getting you custody.

-Right here. -Thank you.

Why is she starin' like that?

I don't know why she muggin'.

All rise.

The Honorable Judge Colbert presiding.

You may be seated.

Today we're hearing the case

of Ms. Patricia Cunningham versus Zachary Taylor.

Ms. Cunningham is the great aunt of the child in question.

Is that correct, counsel?

That's correct, Your Honor.

And Mr. Taylor is the father. Your counsel is Ms. Wilson?

No, Your Honor.

I'm his fiancée and character witness.

Am I to understand that you're also a paralegal?

Yes, Your Honor.

Well, stand by your man

as long as you don't give legal advice as counsel.

Yes, Your Honor.

Congrats on your engagement and the baby, I suppose.

Mr. Taylor, Ms. Cunningham is requesting

full custody of Michael, considering that the mother,

Heather, has been deemed unfit by the court already.

And as for you, Mr. Taylor,

Ms. Cunningham is seeking full custody,

citing evidence of violent tendencies,

a lengthy incarceration record,

and accusations of financial fraud.

-What? -Financial fraud?

He was investigated by the SEC.

Yeah, but nothing was found.

Counselwoman Smart, we'll start with you.

Your Honor, you'll see submitted into evidence

Mr. Taylor's record, which includes violent crimes.

But my client isn't here today asking for full custody based

on his past legal transgressions.

Okay, so then why are we here?

We submitted into evidence, Your Honor, a video.

Mr. Taylor is shown in the video pummeling his own brother.

-Objection. -Zac, calm down.

You see what she doin'?

Yes, but...

I have seen the video, yes. It's quite horrific, Mr. Taylor.

But you don't understand the circumstances.

Quiet, Mr. Taylor.

[Smart] Your Honor, the victim was hospitalized

as a result of the incident.

And less than a week later,

both parties were involved in a sh**ting.

Yeah, and she got shot at,

so the baby ain't safe with none of them.

Okay, so the baby's not safe because I got shot at?

-Yeah. -This is crazy.

We have the police report right here.

That's not my fault.

Let the police report be submitted into evidence.

Your Honor, we'd also like

to submit into evidence a filing of a civil suit

against Ms. Wilson, future counselwoman and fiancée.

-What? -Please submit that

into evidence as well.

Your Honor, that lawsuit was egregious

and all the charges were dropped

and deemed inadmissible and frivolous.

I don't even know why I'm being brought up into this.

Because the child will be in your care as well.

And that child will be taken care of.

We don't know that to be proof of fact.

We have to do what's in the best interest of the child.

Michael has been in the care

of Ms. Cunningham since the incident

with the child's mother.

We feel it is best that the temporary custody order

be converted to full custody.

-Wow. -I see.

Counsel, according to both of these incidents,

Mr. Taylor and Ms. Wilson are victims.

Third party did the sh**ting,

along with the lawsuit against Ms. Wilson being dropped.

-Exactly. -[Smart] We know, Your Honor,

but these incidents show that Mr. Taylor and Ms. Wilson

are involved directly and indirectly in violent acts,

which brings the safety of the child into question.

That's bullshit. [slams gavel]

Careful, Mr. Taylor.

You're actually getting my sympathy.

Your Honor, you can't take this child away from him

from evidence that is just deemed inadmissible.

-[scoffs] Inadmissible? -Yes.

[slams gavel] Order.

Ms. Wilson, seeing as to how your background isn't

in the child custody court

and you haven't passed the bar yet,

I'll give you a bit of advice:

do not tell a family court judge

that someone's violent record is inadmissible,

because it most certainly is.

Now, given the circumstances, however,

I do believe that the child should

be with his biological parents.

-What? -I do not condone

keeping fathers away from their children.

Your Honor, I mean, come on.

Quiet, Ms. Cunningham.

Now, based on the evidence,

Mr. Taylor's trouble with the law

does not deem him to be an unfit parent.

Are you kidding me?

But the evidence does create significant concern.

Can I say something, Your Honor?

Go ahead.

Your Honor, I know that I don't have the best past,

but when it comes to taking care of my son,

if given the opportunity,

I could be the best father in the world.

But they took him from me.

And you guys decided that him being with his mother

was the best thing for him.

And she could have k*lled my son.

When I told y'all she had my son living in the gutter,

y'all looked at me and y'all saw a Black man

that used to be locked up and said anything would

be better than that.

This is not about being a Black man.

[Zac] No, that's, no

I'm telling you like it is, okay?

There's no place better for my son

than with his father.

And I don't care what you believe,

especially not her.

Your Honor, can I say something?

I will allow it.

My niece, Heather, definitely has her issues.

[scoffs]

I just, I don't know where we went wrong in raising her.

But when Michael came along,

we were hoping that he would settle her down,

that being a mother would make her a better woman.

And we are so sorry that that didn't happen

and that she did what she did to that boy.

But, Your Honor, that's not my people.

We're not like that.

We don't know Mr. Taylor. I know this.

And I know that someone's past shouldn't dictate their future.

But we just want the opportunity to make up

for what Heather has done.

We don't want you to take Michael away from us.

We're his family. We're all he knows.

And we want the opportunity to just show him

that he is loved.

[sighs heavily] Given the circumstances,

I said before I don't condone

keeping fathers away from their children.

Mr. Taylor, you can gain full custody of Michael--

-Oh, Lord. -If you complete

an anger management program

and work with the court to ensure

that you and Ms. Wilson are providing a nurturing

home environment for Michael.

In the meantime, Ms. Cunningham will remain

the primary custodial guardian.

What?

We will allow supervised visitation.

What the f*ck, man?

So wait, so I'm not going to be around him for his birthday?

He's not even going to be at the baby shower?

Is there a problem, Mr. Taylor?

No. Thank you.

Supervised visitation,

a schedule for that will be assigned.

Okay, so in the matter of support,

Ms. Cunningham is looking to amend

this current determination of $, a month.

Yeah, 'cause that ain't nothing.

Looking at Mr. Taylor's monthly income,

the court has determined $, a month is sufficient.

Now we talking.

$, and I can't even see him?

It should be more.

You know, this is ridiculous.

Your Honor, after they're married,

can her income be added into the calculation?

Oh, hell no.

-They can do that? -No, they can't.

Look, if he's the non-custodial parent,

my income should not be factored into the child support.

That is correct.

And once your child is born, the court can amend

the child support in your favor.

-Thank you, Your Honor. -I don't see why.

They make plenty of money.

Why are you taking away from Michael?

Don't worry about it.

You ain't gonna have him too much longer.

Yeah, right; you haven't done too much to get him so far.

You kept him from me since he was born.

You don't even want full custody.

You just don't want to pay, just like Heather said.

You hear this? Just like her niece.

This a money grab for these people.

-Yep. -How dare you?

[gavel thuds] Quiet.

I'm glad you're determined to get through this, Mr. Taylor.

Do I have a choice?

No, but just know if you take these steps,

I can see no reason for us not to grant you full custody.

Now as for you, Ms. Cunningham.

I'd be quiet and enjoy my grandnephew's presence.

We will revisit this matter in six months.

-Six months? -What?

This matter is closed for now, Ms. Wilson.

No, it's not, Your Honor.

If I may, I would like to add one more requirement.

What are you doing?

-Just trust me. -Okay.

What is that?

A court-ordered paternity test.

-Excuse me? -Yes.

Zac is not on the birth certificate,

and he has not been legitimized

as the father through the courts.

That is correct.

So he is not legally obligated.

Are you saying the child's paternity

is in question, Counsel; I mean, Ms. Wilson?

-Yes, Your Honor. -But I'm looking

at results of paternity tests right here.

Are you saying this wasn't performed

by an accredited DNA testing lab?

No, it was not.

That was a home DNA kit, Your Honor.

And that is not admissible in court.

-Your Honor-- -I was there, Your Honor.

I witnessed the testing.

Hmm

Mr. Taylor, do you question Michael's paternity?

-I do. -Ah, bullshit!

Hey, please do not make me hold you in contempt.

All right, I do apologize for the court's oversight.

As you can imagine, we are short-staffed.

So if there's indeed a question of paternity,

then we need to order a DNA test.

We're backlogged, so I want you to come back to the court

in four weeks to take the test.

In the meantime, we will extend the current custody agreement.

Delay a child support amendment until after the results are in.

-What? -[Bailiff] All rise.

-That was a low move. -No.

That was the right move.

Heather said y'all did the test anyway.

Well, guess we just gonna have to get another one.

[Patricia] You just trying to delay paying.

But you know what? It's okay.

Because I believe my niece

and I believe that test that y'all already got.

Michael is your son.

You just want to get paid.

You know what, Zac?

You ain't nothing but a violent thug.

And I'm gonna do everything in my power

to personally make sure

that Michael does not grow up to be like you.

[laughing] Hey, whatever.

Y'all hear this? The judge gonna hear this, too.

You know what, Patty?

You don't know us and we don't know you.

But you need to stop defaming my fiancé's character, okay?

Or you gonna end up in civil court.

Now focus on your a*usive-a*s niece.

-You ready? -Can they do that?

Okay. Thank you.

Got you.

[laidback music]

-Hey! -Hey!

Fatima, I'm glad you made it in.

Yeah, I, uhm, I had some personal things

to take care of this morning.

Now I'm trying to catch up on things here. What's up?

Uh-oh. You're closing the door. This can't be good.

And I cannot use any more bad news today.

No, Fatima, don't ever assume news is going to be bad.

-Okay. -This is great news, for you.

I have to take a medical leave for a couple of months.

-Oh, no. Are you okay? -Oh, no, no, no. I'll be okay.

But I have a very important client

that I need handled while I'm gone,

and I want you to take care of her.

Um, but you're in the entertainment division.

Yeah. What do you think?

I don't know.

I've never even thought about going down that lane.

I feel like it'd be perfect for you.

You have this passion for your work

that these type of clients really need.

What type of clients?

I represent Sayge.

Wait a minute. Sayge?

-As in Sayge Sayge? -Oh, you've heard of her?

The new queen of R&B?

I didn't even know we repped clients like that.

Celebrity clients require an extra bit of confidentiality.

It can sometimes be crazy hours,

but I think it'll be a great experience.

So, what do you say? Are you up for the challenge?

I'm gonna be going on maternity leave soon.

That's why this is perfect timing.

I'll still be around a couple more weeks

to show you the ropes. It will be on-the-job training.

By the time you're out, I'll be back,

taking over the reins, and when you get back,

I might just have an offer for you to come and work for me.

Wow, okay.

Look, I know you've been focusing on criminal defense

because you really want to help the people around you.

But every time I hear you sing a little song

while you're moving around the office,

I don't know. I can't help but to think,

"What if she opened herself up to the possibility

of something more?"

Wow, I mean, I'm honored.

What would I be doing?

Well, she's suing her manager, so it's going to be a challenge.

Wait, wait, wait. Isn't her father her manager?

That's the challenge.

But you like challenges.

-I do. -Good.

While I'm out, you'll be handling

the discovery process and paperwork.

But more importantly, you'll be the face

of the firm to her, and don't worry,

I'll still be available to answer any questions

and Tony will be here.

You'll have support.

Okay, I'll do it.

You don't want to think about it?

No, I got this. I can do this.

See? That is what I like.

-[Chelsea] Come on. -Where are we going?

Sayge is in the conference room.

-Wait, what? -Yeah.

Your first meeting starts right now, girl.

-Sayge is on it. -Okay.

Hold on, hold on, hold on. So how is she with people?

Can you look in her eyes or is she like...

No, no. She's real down to earth.

Just treat her like you would any other client.

Okay. Wow, okay.

This is really happening.

-You need help? You okay? -Yeah.

-Thank you. -You're welcome, of course.

After you. [music]

[phone chimes] There she is.

Just take a deep breath.

-Hey, Sayge. -Hey.

I would like you to meet Fatima.

Hi.

She'll be handling the discovery law now.

-It's a pleasure to meet you. -You are beautiful.

Well, coming from the woman who's in every magazine

as the most beautiful woman, it's a hell of a compliment.

Thank you.

That stuff doesn't really matter, you know?

-[Fatima] It doesn't? -Not to me.

I'm just a country girl doing what I love.

Ya know? I like that.

And you're doing a damn good job at it.

Thanks.

Well, I'll let you two get to work.

-Okay. -Her file's on the table.

You got this, Fatima.

Okay.

So she tells me that you are looking

to sue your father-- or manager?

Manager. He's made it very clear

that when it comes to work, he is not my daddy.

Frank has me under a contract that's too restrictive.

And I feel like the fact that he is my father,

there should be some conflict of interest there.

Well, usually there's no conflict of interest there,

but let me take a look at this contract and see.

Wait, did you know that your father

has conservatorship over you until you're years old?

-What? -Yeah.

-No. -That's not good.

Yeah, that's really, really bad.

Okay, what is your work relationship like?

Horrible, he controls everything:

what I wear, where I tour, my songs.

He has input on literally everything I do.

-And it is... -Stifling you.

Hell yeah. But not anymore.

Well, we can definitely contest the conservatorship.

But it looks like the titles within the incorporated versions

of Sayge's Empire is going

to be a completely different ballgame.

-I just want my freedom. -Hmm.

I love my father. He's done so much for me.

Hell, I wouldn't be Sayge without him.

-I don't know about that. -What?

You are always going to be you.

You always have been, with or without him.

Wow. I like that.

I understand what it's like to try to live up

to the potential our parents set for us.

It's like they don't realize we're our own people.

We make our own choices.

I get it. I do.

Your little one is going to be lucky to have you as a mother.

Well, it is just my job to give him or her all the tools

they need to flourish.

-That's it. -That's it.

I feel good about this.

The press is going to go ballistic

once the suit is filed, so everything has to be tight.

-Right. -Like, tight, tight.

My father loves to make me look crazy in public.

What an as*h*le. Sorry.

Girl, you're good. sh*t, he is a as*h*le.

I don't want him to be a part of this next album.

I don't have the heart to tell him yet.

Okay, well, I believe this lawsuit is going

to tell him for you.

I'm just sick of him profiting off of my name.

Do you want to cut ties with him completely?

Let's just make sure this next album is all my own.

We can worry about the rest of the ties later.

Okay, all right, good.

Well, I can get some documents to you really soon then.

You think you can have him in tomorrow?

Um, yeah. No, no, it's fine.

I know this needs to be done with a quickness.

So, yeah. I can do that.

I just do need to tell you that the discovery portion

of this can take a little while.

That's okay; it's just contracts and deals

for this next album are already in the works, so...

Okay, what do you say I have these to you by the morning?

-That'll be amazing. -Great.

You about your business.

You know what? I gotta be, girl. I'm sorry, ma'am.

No, girl, get comfortable. I like you.

You could be in my circle.

-Really? -Mm-hmm.

And you know we'd make a lot of people jealous now.

It comes with the territory.

Do you, hmm...

Do you know of any good spots

where I might maybe put together

a listening party?

-A listening party? -[Sayge] Mm-hmm.

I already have my first single done.

But I want to see how folks respond.

It should be something low-key, intimate,

a place that I could basically shut down for the night.

-Something exclusive? -Mm-hmm.

-I think I know a place. -Ooh!

-I got you. -Bet. Okay.

I'm excited. Okay, okay, okay!

Um, thank you, Fatima.

You're about to help me do something huge.

Well, I'm glad. I really am.

Wait till my assistant hears this.

So, how'd it go?

I'm happy. Thanks for sending her my way.

-Yeah. -So, Fatima,

let me know about that spot.

-I got you. -Bye.

-Thank you. -Spot?

Oh, yeah. She needed a venue for her listening party.

I didn't know she was having a listening party.

Oh, yeah. It's an exclusive event.

Oh. You exclusive already?

No. It's going to be a piece of cake.

-I know it is. -Thank you.

-Proud of you. -Thank you.

[phone buzzes]

-Hello? -What's up, babe?

Can't get enough of Zac?

You know I can't.

Yeah, well, that's good because I got a big old dose

coming for you in about two hours.

Actually, I'm going to be at the office late tonight.

What? Why?

One of our partners just asked me

to take on a really big client.

Man, they just giving you all the best clients.

-That's what's up, babe. -No, it's actually

the entertainment division.

Oh, I didn't even know you wanted to do that.

I didn't either, but, I mean, she thinks I'll be really good

at this since I sing and I can relate to clients.

Well, who's the client?

Baby, you're not going to guess this.

-It's Sayge. -Stop playing.

I just had a meeting with her.

Word? Yo, that's dope.

So, what's she like? Does she, like,

glow when she walk in the room?

-No, Zac. -[Zac]No?

Well, does she ride in on her bodyguard's back?

Boy, you are so silly. No, she's really down to earth.

-I really like her. -[Zac]Well, that's whack.

Zac, no, this is really good. It's good that we get along.

[Zac]Of course you're getting along.

What's there not to like about you?

And how long are you going to be?

I'm going to be really late.

Damn, you're jumping in the deep end with this.

-Ain't you? -I know, but, hey,

this is good for us, all right?

I'll tell you all about it when I get home.

All right. You sure you're coming home?

Because you might have to sleep at work.

-You know what I'm saying? -Zac.

[Zac laughs] No, I'm just playing.

I don't mind being alone, you know?

I know. You'll be fine.

[Zac] I know. Well, look, do what you got to do.

-Hit me later. -All right.

-I love you. -I love you more.

[Fatima] All right. See you soon.

-All right. -Hey.

-[Zac] What's up? -I'm about to head out.

-You good? -[Zac] Yeah.

I collected the final rent check from Mr. Wilder.

I don't know why he won't just pay online.

-Because he's old. -Right.

You said you're heading out. You going over to happy hour?

Yeah, I'm about to head there now. What?

You want to roll?

Fatima's not home. I ain't got nothing else to do.

-Y'all going to happy hour? -Are you inviting yourself?

Oh, come on, man. Please? I'm just going to sit outside

Angela's house if I don't find something to do.

-What? -[Bryce] I mean,

did I just say that out loud?

Yes. You did.

I have never seen a man be so open.

-What's wrong with me? -We'll tell you on the way.

Okay.

All right.

[upbeat music]

[indistinct chatter]

[Woman] Hey, young man, who are you?

[mysterious music]

[music]

[outro music]

[music]

[music]